Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction and Odds

Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction and Odds: The Denver Nuggets will be starting as favorites in their upcoming game against the Lakers.

With NBA preseason coming to an end, the teams now gear up for another thrilling season of NBA action as the 78th edition of the league is gearing up to return in just a few days. The 2023-24 NBA regular season is scheduled to tip off on October 25, 2023, and it’s set to kick off with an electrifying matchup as the Los Angeles Lakers will go head-to-head with the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, at the Ball Arena.

The last time the two teams met was back in last season’s playoffs. The Denver Nuggets registered a clean slate against the Lakers as they won 4 consecutive games and ended the Lakers’ journey in the last election.

Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction: Preseason Performance

The Los Angeles Lakers played a total of 6 preseason games and they won just 2 games while losing the other 4 games. The Lakers defeated the likes of the Brooklyn Nets and the Sacramento Kings. They beat the Nets by 129-126 points and registered a 109-101 points win against the Sacramento Kings.

In terms of defeat, the Lakers lost twice against the Warriors. In the first game, the Warriors won the game by 125-108 points difference. The last preseason game between the two teams ended in 129-125 points in favor of the Warriors. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Lakers by 108-97 points and the Phoenix Suns registered a 123-100 points win over the Lakers.

The Denver Nuggets on the other hand played 5 preseason games and won 3 and lost the other two games. The Nuggets defeated the likes of the Phoenix Suns by 115-107 points, the Chicago Bulls (116-102) and the Los Angeles Clippers by 103-90 points.

The defeat came at the hands of the Chicago Bulls by 124-133 points and the Los Angeles Clippers by 116-103.

Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction and Odds: Offense and Defense Analysis

Offense

  • The LA Lakers maintained a scoring rate of 117.2 points per game. In shooting, they achieved a conversion rate of 48.2% in field goals, 34.6% in 3-pointers, and 77.5% in free throws. The Lakers were rated 114.4 on offense with an overall rank of 20 in the league.
  • The Denver Nuggets played with a scoring average of 115.8 points per game. They shot efficiently with a success rate of 50.4% in field goals, 37.9% in 3-pointers, and 75.1% in free throws. With an Adjusted Offensive Rating of 116.9, the Nuggets were the 5th-best team in the attack.

Defense

  • The LA Lakers allowed their opponents to score an average of 116.6 points per game. The opposing teams displayed a field goal accuracy of 46.9% and a 3-point shooting accuracy of 34.4% against them. The Lakers also maintained an average of 44.9 rebounds per game while recording an average of 7.6 steals and 5.1 blocks per game. Los Angeles was the 13th-ranked team in the defense with an Adjusted Defensive Rating of 113.9.
  • The Denver Nuggets conceded an average of 112.5 points per game to their opponents. They permitted a field goal conversion rate of 47.8% and a three-point shooting accuracy of 34.4%. Additionally, the Nuggets secured an average of 40.8 rebounds per game, along with 7.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game. Denver was given a rank of 18 in the defense with an Adjusted Defensive Rating of 114.2.

Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction and Odds

The Denver Nuggets will be hosting the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets will be starting as home favorites. The bookmakers have also favored the host Nuggets over the visitors Lakers in this game.

Win Probability

  • LA Lakers: 33.4%
  • Denver Nuggets: 66.6%

Odds

  • LA Lakers: 2.66%
  • Denver Nuggets: 1.52%

Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction and Odds: Head-to-Head Stats

In the history of NBA regular season matchups between these two teams, there have been a total of 189 games played. The Los Angeles Lakers have taken the lead with 113 wins, while the Denver Nuggets have secured victory in 76 games.

Taking a closer look at their recent encounters, in the last five matchups, the Lakers emerged victorious in three games, while the Nuggets clinched two. Their most recent clash occurred on January 9, 2023, with the Denver Nuggets prevailing over the Lakers with a score of 122-109.

Head-to-Head Key Highlights: Last 5 Meetings

  • The Number of Home games won by the Denver Nuggets: 2
  • The Number of Away games won by the LA Lakers: 1
  • The Average Number of Total Points scored: 238.4
  • The Average Number of Points scored by the Denver Nuggets: 118.2
  • The Average Number of Points scored by the LA Lakers: 120.2

Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction and Odds: Players to Watch Out

LA Lakers

LeBron James (Small Forward)

Points Per Game: 28.9 | Rebounds Per Game: 8.3 | Assists Per Game: 6.8

Anthony Davis (Power Forward)

Points Per Game: 25.9 | Rebounds Per Game: 12.5 | Blocks Per Game: 2.0

D’Angelo Russell (Point Guard)

Points Per Game: 17.4 | Assists Per Game: 6.1 | Rebounds Per Game: 2.9

Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic (Center)

Points Per Game: 24.5 | Rebounds Per Game: 11.8 | Assists Per Game: 9.8

Jamal Murray (Point Guard)

Points Per Game: 20.0 | Assists Per Game: 6.2 | Steals Per Game: 1.0

Michael Porter Jr. (Small Forward)

Points Per Game: 17.4 | Rebounds Per Game: 5.5 | Assists Per Game: 1.0

Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction and Odds: Performance in the Last Season

LA Lakers

The previous season didn’t begin on a positive note for the LA Lakers, as they struggled with a challenging start, enduring a five-game losing streak. Despite this setback, the Lakers displayed resilience and managed to secure a spot in the Play-In Tournament. Ultimately, they concluded the regular season in the 7th position within the Western Conference, tallying 43 victories and 39 losses.

During the postseason, the Lakers showcased their dominance by successfully eliminating the Grizzlies and the Warriors in the initial two rounds. However, their playoff journey took a disappointing turn as they faced a crushing defeat, losing four consecutive games in the Western Conference Finals against the Denver Nuggets, bringing their season to an end.

Denver Nuggets

The previous NBA season marked a historic achievement for the Denver Nuggets, as Michael Malone’s squad secured their inaugural NBA championship. Right from the beginning of the season, the Nuggets displayed firm determination and purpose. They maintained their top position in the Western Conference standings throughout the regular season, boasting an impressive 53-29 record and effortlessly making their way into the playoffs.

Denver’s dominance extended into the postseason, where they triumphed over formidable opponents, ultimately earning their first-ever Finals appearance in franchise history. In a five-game series, the Nuggets overcame the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals, clinching the championship title.

Lakers vs Nuggets Winner Prediction

This matchup serves as a rematch of the Western Conference Finals from the previous season. The LA Lakers will be determined to challenge the home team, while the Denver Nuggets aim to build on the momentum from their past season’s success and kickstart their new campaign on a positive note.

Considering the latest performance of both teams and also taking into account the home advantage, the Denver Nuggets are likely to start as favorites in this game.

Nuggets vs Lakers Prediction and Odds